This image is a woodcut of the British Royal Family with their Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle, and was published in the Illustrated London News in 1848. As a child Queen Victoria was familiar with the custom of Christmas trees, but after her marriage to her German cousin Prince Albert in 1840, the custom became more widespread.

This amusing account of a “Christmas Tree at Rhyl” is from the North Wales Chronicle, January 15th, 1859. (Apologies to those of a feminist bent)

A most interesting exhibition of a Christmas Tree took place at the Church Schoolroom in this town, on the 30th ult., in aid of the “Parsonage House fund”. It is always a pleasing duty to place on record events of this nature, especially when the principal actors are ladies. To the ladies, and to them alone, are we indebted for the rare treat which we so thoroughly enjoyed last week, at the Rhyl Schoolroom. We have had here additional proof, were it necessary, that whatever good work the ladies take in hand, success is certain to crown their efforts. When we saw the list of the ladies’ names on the committee, we made sure that matters would turn out both agreeably and advantageously. And so they did: the successful result far exceeded the anticipation of the most sanguine expectant of the fair ones. Indeed, too much cannot be said in praise of the committee: they worked earnestly, assiduously, and in perfect harmony – it was for a good object: and it must be a matter of sincere gratification to the ladies to know that the fruits of their gratuitous labours were heartily appreciated, and the sum realised was £73 3s.

There were three trees, the gift of the generous hearted Squire of Bodrhyddan, who, with his accustomed liberality, sent them to the schoolroom free of expense. The centre tree, a magnificent spruce fir, 12 feet high, in the body of the school, was under the care of – Mrs R.E. Williams, the Misses Edwards, Miss Hughes, Miss J. Hickin, Miss Guest, Miss Hill, and the Misses Lodge. The other two trees were placed upon tables, and under the care, on one side, by Mrs Bigland, Mrs Sharp, Mrs Tootle, and Mrs Beauche Collingwood: on the other side by Mrs Churton, Mrs Auster, the Misses Walles, and Miss Tarleton.

Rhyl History Club would like to wish their friends near and far, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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2 responses to “” Christmas Tree at Rhyl.” 1858.”

May I express the gratitude of all readers for the dedication of the Secretary/Web Mistress for her monthly Posts to inform and tease the ‘little grey cells’ of members, I feel sure that everyone would join in the appreciation and wish her a Very Happy Christmas.